On February 2nd, the US announced it was withdrawing from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), which required destruction of US and Soviet ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers–the INF has long been considered central to the East-West arms control regime. In this Nuclear Policy Talk from the Institute for International Science and Technology Policy at George Washington University, Science and Security Board member Sharon Squassoni discusses the end of the INF Treaty with Anita Friedt (Senior Advisor to the Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security, US State Department) and Daryl Kimball (Executive Director, Arms Control Association). Will begin at 4:30 Eastern or soon after on February 2nd.
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The abandonment of the INF Treat by the United States and Russia could precipitate a new nuclear arms race, says expert opinion from many quarters: when this is the last thing either country or the world needs. In this context, I commend to you, and everyone, two insights about the profound nature of nuclear energy and nuclear fission that flag up fruitful lines of inquiry as to the future security of the nuclear weapons.
1. Nuclear physics has determined how "four-interactive-forces" are at work in each and every atom. Indeed, it is on the basis of our knowledge of the objective nature of these four forces, that the 'nuclear nations' have been able to develop their/our nuclear weapons and reactors.
Instead of concentrating on the objective properties of the 'four forces', consider their subjective qualities. This is an introspective exercise, that seeks to determine what these 'four forces' feel like. Quite unexpectedly, the 'four forces' become entirely familiar. They are synonymous with the suite of social and spiritual qualities that fill and form our family lives. There's one masculine force (Gravity), one motherly feminine power (Electromagnetism), a recognition of the collective energy in the family (the Strong Nuclear Force), and a very small quotient that behaves like sexual energy (the Weak Nuclear Force).
We can summarise this "comparative dualistic perception" to say how the energy downstairs amongst and between the atomic particles is equally present here between and amongst us humans. More especially in our family systems and in our relationships with each other.
It is hardly new to recognise our ability to discern objective and subjective qualities of phenomena. In this regard, our nuclear knowledge is vulnerable and incomplete because we have chosen from day one to ignore or discount the subjective aspects of the nuclear processes. We dearly need to value both kinds of information, integrate them, that we can know the wholesome nature of the 'four forces' that combine to create what we refer to casually as ... nuclear energy.
2. The second insight makes use of this same dual-track system of observation. Firstly register how most of us adults are involved to some extent with the process of marriage. It is an evolving, generally life-long, partnership of masculine and feminine principles and values. Now look into the "mushroom cloud", and see how a marriage process is being played out in there, at an atomic speed, between the archetypal masculine and feminine "energetic entities" who formed themselves from the energy released out of the atoms, in the first moments of fission.
Despite our long history of work in the Atomic World, we are virtually oblivious of the universal nature of the energy we release out of the atoms. The same energy in us as is amongst the particles means the same energetic processes go on here for us as go on for them in their realm. The instinctive quest for relationship and pro-creative union by the feminine and masculine qualities released by our weapon's technology, makes this point.
This whole scenario indicates the potential we humans, we Humanity, have ... to develop a collective process whereby we might influence 'energetic processes' at the atomic level. With the purpose, as I see it, to determine if we can address the phenomena of radiation. This same approach could also be tested as a method to stabilise the unstable elements, such as 'enriched uranium'. That this element is no longer fissile.
There is clearly a creative social technology waiting to be explored and developed that would contribute hugely to moderating the nuclear issues of our time, typically the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and the treatment of radioactive waste materials. says more about this, with images and a discourse on the side.
Thanks and good wishes and good luck.
Ian Turnbull. Findhorn, Scotland